May 25, 2016 12:19 PM EDT
"How would you feel to begin at lvl 15-25 but have access to said powers/aesthetics?"I would honestly feel alright about it. I've a few original builds that I have in my head with amazing backstories, that I just can't upload onto this site purely because it doesn't fit in with how the game starts (either with the vanilla start or with the 'Alternate Start' mod). Even my Dwarf build turns a blind eye to the fact that he starts off as an absolute novice at everything. So I think there's definitely a place for this kind of start.
"Would it hurt the experience?"The short answer for me is that it is entirely situational. There are many builds on this site that would benefit greatly from it. Take for example Raid's 'White Walker' build, which turns a blind eye to the fact that you start off as a living mortal with only a basic fire spell and a healing spell (none of which you're likely to use), and the roleplay of your Undeath and your mastery of frost is kind of crowbarred into the build. But if you start off as a vampire with a stahlrim blade and a few frost spells, then you're already heading in the right direction.
"Would it be much different from a standard build?"I think i've already kinda answered this. It'd be 'different', but not for any better or worse. Most people look at different builds for the roleplay and gameplay aspect moreso than they do for the 'challenge' or difficulty. Otherwise we'd all be trying to punch Alduin to death barefisted.
"Would the starting skills/equipment justify the preparation time?"How do you mean? This whole concept is begging for a mod that could set all this up for you. Character Creation could work kind of like Fallout's S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points; you have so many skill levels that you can invest into a character (let's say 100, which would get you to around level 20 or so), and you can either load them all into one or two skills, or spread them out evenly. Or better yet, take the vanilla starting skill levels, and be able to 'rearrange' them. So a burly 'sword and board' Nordy McNordface will reduce aaaaall the magic skills to level 0 to show complete aversion and ineptitude in magic, and invest those points into more martial skills like block and one-handed. So gameplay-wise this could take two minutes maybe. It's just a fair bit of work on the modder's part.
"Would YOU play such a build?"Absolutely yes. Not all the time, mind. But I think even the very best builds on this site would benefit. For example, Mason's 'Seraphim' build - imagine starting with sun and healing spells, and maxed restoration? Every other skill could be sub-par if need be, but if nothing else it'd make the RP of the 'Seraphim' being an angel a lot more believable.
"Would you say Alternate-Start builds could become a trend?"Well, my builds already includes advice and recommendations for those playing with mods (as well as a 'Recommended Mod List') and those playing vanilla. It wouldn't take a great deal of work to do a small section on those starting with this custom setup.
There is a whole well of untapped potential for builds with this concept in mind, but there are also so many builds that would just be utterly ruined by it. For example, one of my absolute favourite builds to play is a simple, honest 'huntress'. Hunts for her own food; crafts her own salves; makes her own bows and arrows. Sells pelts to make a living; invests the profits of her hunting into purchasing land to build her own home in Falkreath. I don't think she's ever hit level 30 before. Just sneaking; archery; and a few levels in smithing. Good, simple, honest gameplay. She doesn't need to start off as a '360 no-scoper' with a Dragonbone Bow of Genocide and armour made from Hircine's own flesh. But maybe i'm just boring. :P